Plow



June 6, 1933. w H, SILVER 1,913,004

PLOW

Filed Jan. 2, 1932 Patented June 6, 1933 v D STATES PATENT OFFICE r @WALTEB H. SILVER, or MOLINE, ILLIno-Is, ASSIGNOR T DEERE & COMPANY, or

1 V ,MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or IL INoIs I I now "liuilication filed January}, 1932. serial No. 584,385. I

The present invention relatesgenerally to agricultural implements, particularly plows, in which a power lift mechanism is embodied.

5 One form of power lift which has been generallysuccessful, particularly on plows and the like,'is a constructioninwhich the land wheel mounting includes a crank 'axle which extends around the outside of the land wheel,thelatter being mountedonfthe crank portion and isadapted to swing around the axis of the axle portion." The crank portion enters the land wheel from the outer side and extends inwardly and is providedwith "a clutch of the half revolu= tion intermittentlyoperable type mounted on the inner endof;the. crankportion on the inside of theiwheel. The generic featuresof this formofpower lift-are clearly disclosedandlclaimed in the patent tofCarl: G. Strandlund, *Ite ."l5,828', re issi ed April In the typeofpowerlift just referred to y where the swingingrrank axle includes an arm portion extending from'* the axleportion and terminating inan inwardly directed crank portionjnpon whichtheland wheelandclutch partsare mounted,it is necessary, ofcourse, that the material of thefswinging crank axle be made strong enough to resist the stresses involved in raising the plow. Where the power lift clutch includes afmember rotatable in the lifting operationon the inwardly extend-v 3 ing crank portion and reacting through a thrust bar against the frame there sometimes occurs a tendency for the crank portion of the swinging crank axle to bend awayfrom the axle or journal portion. 40 Heretofore, to secure the necessary rigidity of the swinging crank axle constructionit has been customaryto form the crank axle of stock large enough to possess such inherent strengththat' spreading'will not 00-. cur, Under certain conditions where this spreading occurs it may affect the operation I of the power lift clutch) ltis'ofjvitalim portance toithe properoperation of alift ing clutch that the crank end of thecrank axle be positively'held in afixed position with respect tothejournal or axle portion of the swinging crank axle. When this crank portion is allowedto spread the position of the roller whichthrowsout the clutch and the lifting link by which the weight of r the'plow is supported may, under certain conditions, be affected to such an extent that the lifting dog is not thrown out properly when the plow is ina lowered position, thereby causing a chattering of the clutch. This arises because the spreading of the crank axle permits the rotatable member to move past the dead center positionwith respect to the thrust bar, so that the Weight of the plow tends to swing the rotatable memberawayfrom the triplever and cam the roller on the endof the trip lever out of the notch in which itengages to hold the lifting dog out, thereby allowing the latter to engage sufliciently to initiate the lifting action which,fl1owever, is interrupted the moment the rotatable member is moved a axle while making it possible to utilize a crank axleof somewhat smaller dimensions. Specifically, it" is the prinoipalobjectyof the present invention to provide a tie link or reenforcing member connected between, the

journal or axle portion ofthe crank axle and the crank portion upon which the land wheel and lifting clutch structure are mounted. Particularly, ,it is the object of the present invention to provide a tie member connected between the inner end of the inwardly directed crank portion and the axle portion of the swinging crank axlef By reason of this construction it is possible to considerably reduce the size of the crank axle and at the This I consider an important feature of the present invention in that, while the feature of preventing. spreading of the axle is extremely desirable, as far as preventing the chattering of the clutch is concerned, the important thing to be accomplished is to prevent any displacement of the trip lever with respect to the rotatable member of the clutch. If this. relation is not disturbed the power lift will not chatter, even though a a certain amount of separation between the crank and axle portions of the crank axle should occur. Therefore to prevent any spread at all stops the trouble at the source while supporting the trip lever 011 a member held in fixed relationship with respect to the crank portion holds the triplever in proper position regardless of spread and prevents any objectionable results because of.

the amount of spread whichxdoes occur.

A further "object of the present invention is to so dispose the tie link or reenforcing member that it will be advantageously positioned so as to best resist the reactions to which it is subjected during the operation of the power lift mechanism. These and other objects of the presentinvention will be ap parent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed-description of the preferred structuralv embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a disk plow;

embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view, partly in section andpartly in elevation and taken along the line H 22 of Figure 1, showing the relationship between the tie member or reenforcing link and the crank and axle portions of the swinging crank axle; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top view of the structure, corresponding in general to the line 33 of Figure 2, showing in detail certain of the power lift clutchparts.

Referring now to the drawing, particularly Figure 1, it will be observed that the disk plow there illustrated is practically identical with the plow disclosed and claimed in the copending application/filed July 26, 1929, by Carl G. Strandlund, Serial No. 381,103 (Case 18). As more 'fullyxdisclosed in the copending application just identified, the disk plow illustrated comthe latter is provided with a slot 57 through prises a beam structure 10 comprising two angle bars 11 and 12 between which are supported a plurality of standards '13, the latter supporting furrow openingdisks 15. The.

forward end of the beam structure 10 is carried upon a draft bar 17 the forward end of which is connected, as by an adjustable draft coupling member 18, to a tractor or other source of draft, represented in its entirety by the draw bar 20. The rear end of the beam structure 10jis carried Zupon a wheel supported frame structure indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 23. The frame structure.23 may be of anydesired constructionand supported on anydesired arrangement of Wheels, the preferred form, however, being that illustrated in which a land wheel 25 is journaled on the laterally inturn'ed or 'inwardly'directed crank portion 26 connected by an arm portion 27 with the axle portion 28 of a swinging crank axle 29 journaled on the frame structure 23 and received in a long bearing sleeve 30 forming a part of the frame structure. The frame 23 also includes a second sleeve portion 31 in which is journaled a crank 32, and movably mounted on the crank for swinging movement is acasting 35. Rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve forming a part of the castin g 35 is a spindle 37 upon which a rear furrow wheel 38 is journaled.

The land wheel 25 forms a part of a power-lift mechanism which is operative to swing the crank axle 29 to raise and lower the frame 10 as will now be described. A

. sleeve 40 (Figure 3) is mounted on the laterally inwardly directed crank portion 26 of the swinging crank axle 29, and this sleeve member 40 includes a bearing portion 41, a hub 42 and a crank43, the latter being disposed at the innermost end of the sleeve 40 and adjacent the hub portion 42. The wheel 25 includes a drum 45, the latter being pref erably bolted to the wheel by bolts 46, and thewheel and drum'are mounted for rota: tion on the sleeve 40, the, latter thus serving as journal meansfor the land wheel 25 and is normally stationary with respect to the laterally directed crank or spindle portion 26. The drum 45 is provided with interior corrugations 49, the drum 45 thus serving as a part of a more or less conventional type of half revolution power lift clutch.

The sleeve 40 also includes a radially extending plate portion having a laterally outwardly directed flange; 51 adapted to embrace the laterally inner edge of the drum 45. A clutch throw-out lever 53 is pivoted, as by a pivot bolt 54, to the plate portion 50 and includes oppositely directed arms 55 by whichthe power lift-clutch is controlled through a trip lever later to be describedin detai The throw-out lever 53 is mounted on the outside of the plate portion 50, and

which a pin or bolt 58 carried by the lever 53 extends. The bolt 58 supports .-a clutch roller (not shown) which engages the corruone of the notches 65formed on the plate portion 50. The engagement of the roller 61 in one of the notches .65 serves to hold the plate portion 50, and hence the' rotatable sleeve 40, from rotating. t Like the: arms 55, the notches 65 arepreferablyoppositelydis+ posed.

During the operation of the power lift clutch in which the sleeve 10 is locked to the drum 45 and the wheel to rotate there with, the rotation of the sleeve causes the rotation of the crank 43, see Figure a The innermost end 70 of the crank 13 is rewheel 25 and hence raising the beamilO and duced to receive the lower end of a thrust bar 71. The upper end of the thrust bar 71 is connected, as at-72, with an adjusting crank75 journaled in a sleeve 7 6 formed on orsecured to the frame23. The adjusting crank 75 is normally held in fixedirelation with respect to the frame23 and the beam 10 by an adjusting mechanism indicated in its entirety by the referencenumeral 79. This adjustingmechanism 'forms no part of the presentinvention exceptin so faras it relates to the power lift feature. 1 The adjusting crank 7 5 forms an abutment onthe frameagainst which the thrust bar 71 acts when the crank 13 is rotated. WhenQthe:

power, liftbisfactuated the thrust of the bar 71 causes the swinging crank axle 29 to swing downwardlycarryingwith it the land the frame 23.

Under some conditions, as mentioned b tl t' l 1 1w i t a 16 mac Ion deve Oped bytle Iota ends for the purpose of rece1v1ngtherebe tion of the crank 13 inlifting the plow tends to cause the crank'portion 26 to bend a or espreadi out of its proper fixed relation with respect to the axle or journal portion 28 of the swinging crank axle=29w Normally the crank portion 26 is parallel to theaxle portion 28and unless this relation is substantially maintained duringthe life of the implement theoperatiOn of the power lift clutch'mechanism may be seriously affected.

In order to positively hold the two portions 26 and 28 of the swingin a axleugg and to positively prevent spreading or separation of these partsthe present invention contemplates a provision 'ofa tie member' or Ireenforcing link indicated in its entirety by the reference-numeral 80. Asi best illustrated in Figure 1, or reenforc- 1ngmember80 acts as ana rm cooperating with the arm 27 to rigidly connect thejourinal means receiving the land wheel 25 and the power lift clutclrmechanism with the swinging crank axle 29.

' Referring now more particularly to Figures 2and 3, the tie member SO comprises a casting 81 having a split end 82 which embraces the portion of the crank axle 29adjacent the sleeve 30 and is rigidly secured or clamped thereto by meansof a bolt 83 passing through the split ends 82. A flat bar 84 is bolted, as by bolts 85,to thecasting 81 at one end and at its outer end is bent back onitself, asindicated at 86', to

embrace. two bolts 87 which pass through ,the; arms of a U-shaped member or strap 88 Not only does the reenforclng member or link 80 serve tolstrengthen these parts and;

provide a strong and sturdy implement, but use is made of the reenforcing member80 to form a support for the trip lever 60. For this purpose the bar 84 carries a pin 90 projecting laterally outwardly of the link 80. The pin 90 is provided with a collar 91, preferablyformed, integrally with the pin 90, which bears against the outer side of the bar 84. The end ofithe pin 90 pro-i jecting ,through theother side of the bar 84 is riveted into the countersunk portion of the opening through which the pin projects, asindicated by the reference numeral 93. i l

0 The trip lever 60 preferably comprises a pair of bars connected togetherin any de-ti sired manner and separated at theirlower or the other the recesses or against the outerlperiphery of the normally stationary plate portion 50 by means of a tension spring 100,see Figure 2, the lower end ofwhich is connected to a hook 101 formed j on the casting 81. The upperend of the spring 100 is adjustably connected by means a of aneye bolt 103 to a bracket 104secured to the upper end of the trip lever 60. The

.casting81 also includes a projection 105w formed thereon to act as a stop for thelever 60yto limit its swinging movement in one directionh p a i l The link 80, regardless of its function in preventing separation or spread of the crank axle, also serves an important function in providing a pivotal support for the trip lever which" is maintained a given distance from the axis of the crank portion 26 regardless of any spread in the crank axle. As long as this distance remains the same the proper relation between the trip lever and the clutch is maintained. A considerable amount of separation between crank portion 26 and the journal portion 28 could be tolerated if this distance between the crank portion 26 and the pin 90 were maintained. That is, even if portion85 became loosened so that the crank portion 26 would spread from the journal portion 28, the fact that the pin 90 would be held at a fixed distance from the crank portion 26 would still permit the proper operation of the clutch. Particularly would there be no difficulty in tripping the plow from a raised position. v

In order to provide for adjusting the effective length of'the tie member or reenforcing link 80 the bar 84 and the casting 81 are-made relatively adjustable by the provision of elongated slots 110 in the casing 81 through which the bolts 85 extend, as best shown in Figure 2. This adjustment is desirable to take care of manufacturing variations. v

While I have described in detail the preferredstructural embodiment of the present invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention is not limited to the specific means shown and described but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: I

1. Ina power lift agricultural implement, an axle, a power lift clutch mechanism including a rotatable wheel, journal means supporting said wheel for rotation, and means disposed on opposite sides of said wheel to support said journal means for swinging. movement about the axis of said axle.

2. In a power lift agricultural implement, an axle, a power life clutch mechanism including a rotatable wheel, journal means supporting said wheel for rotation, and means for supporting both ends of said journal means for swinging movement about the axis of said axle.

3. In a power lift agricultural implement, .an axle, a power lift clutch mechanism includinga rotatable wheel, journal means supporting said wheel for rotation, and means comprising a pair of arms for supp'orting both ends of said journal means for swinging movement about the axis of said axle, one of said arms being adjustable.

' 4. In a power lift agricultural implement, a swinging crank axle, a power lift clutch mechanism including a wheel journaled on the crank portion of said axle, and means connecting the end of said crank portion with the axle portion of said crank axle.

5. In a power lift agricultural implement, a swinging crank axle including a crank portion connected with an axle portion by an arm, a power lift clutch mechanism including a wheel journaled on the crank portion of said axle, and means connecting the end of said crank portion opposite said arm with the axle portion of said crank axle.

6. In a power lift agricultural implement, a swinging crank axle including a crank portion connected with an axle portion by an arm, and a tie member connected between said crank portion and said axle portion to prevent spreading thereof.

7 In a power lift agricultural implement,

a swinging crank axle comprising a crank.

portion connected in parallel relation with an axle portion by an integral arm, a power lift clutch mechanism including a wheel journaled onthe crank portion of said axle, and a second arm removably connected with said axle portion and said crank portion and cooperating with said integral arm in maintaining said parallel relationship.

8. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, a crank-axle having a swinging arm portion, lifting means including a thrust bar connected with said frame, an optionally operable power lift clutch mounted on said crank axle and adapted to actuate said thrust bar, and an arm connected between said clutch and said frame and disposed adjacent said thrust bar and aiding said arm portion in sustaining the reaction of said clutch.

9. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, a swinging crank axle journaled for rocking movement on said frame, a power lift clutch mechanism including a wheel journaled on the crank portion of crank axle and a rotatable crank adapted to be optionally connected to rotate with said wheel, a thrust bar connected with said frame and said rotatable crank, and means disposed adjacent said crank and con-- nected with said axle and with said rotatable crank to take the reaction of the latter.

10. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, aswinging crank axle journaled for rocking movement on said frame, a power lift clutch mechanism including a wheel journaled on the crank portion of crank axle and a rotatable crank having a hub and adapted to be optionally connected to rotatewith said wheel, a thrust bar connected with said frame and said rotatable crank, and a tie member connected with said axle and journaled on said hub to preventsprea'ding of the crank axle.

a power lift clutch mechanism including a rotatable wheel mounted on the crank portion, a trip lever controlling the action of i said clutch mechanism, and means held in fixed relation with respect to said crank portion for supporting said trip lever.

12. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, a swinging crank axle journaled on the frame and including a crank portion connected with an axle portion by anintermediate arm, lifting means including an optionally operable half revolution clutch mounted on said crank portion, a tie member connected between said crank portion and said axle portion to prevent spreading thereof, and a trip lever for said clutch mechanism mounted on said tie member.

13. A power lift plow comprising a frame. ground wheels supporting at least a portion of said frame for vertical movement, lifting means including a half revolution clutch optionally operable by one of said ground wheels and a thrust bar connected between said clutch and said frame, a tie member disposed adjacent said thrust bar to take the reaction thereof, and a trip lever operable to control said clutch and pivotally mount-- ed on said tie member.

14. A power lift plow comprising a frame, ground wheels supporting said frame for vertical movement, a swinging crank axle journaled on said frame and carrying one of said ground wheels, lifting means includ ing a thrust bar, connected with said frame and a half revolution clutch mounted on the crank portion of said crank axle and optionally operable by said one of the ground wheels to actuate said thrust bar, means disposed adjacent said thrust bar and connecting said clutch with said axle, and a pivotally mounted lever carried by said last named means and operable to control the operation of said half revolution clutch.

15. A power lift plow comprising a frame, a swinging crank axle journaled on said frame and including an inwardly directed crank portion connectedwith the axle for movement about the axis of the latter, a ground wheel and a half revolution clutch mounted 011 said inwardly directed crank portion, said clutch including a normally stationary sleeve terminating in an inner crank, a thrust bar connected with said crank and with said frame, and a tie link 60,fixed at one end to the axle portion of said crank axle and rotatably connected with said sleeve between said crank and said half revolution clutch.

16. A power lift agricultural implemen comprising a frame, a swinging crank axle journaled on said frame and including a hub and a part fixed to said axle.

17. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, a swinging crank axle journaled for rocking movement on said frame, said swinging crank axle including a laterally directed crank portion spaced from the axis of said rocking movement, a normally stationary sleeve mounted 'on said laterally directed crank portion and including a crank and a radially outwardly extending plate portion, a wheel having a drum with interior corrugations and journaled on said sleeve member, said drum being disposed adjacent said plate portion of the sleeve, a lever pivotally mounted on said plate portion and including arms extending to opposite sides thereof, interengaging roller means carried by said plate portion and shiftable by said lever into and out of engagement with the corrugations of said drum whereby to lock said sleeve with said drum to rotate with said wheel, a reenforcing member connected with said crank and with said axle and including part embracing said sleeve between the crank thereon and said plate portion, and a trip lever pivotally mounted on said reenforoing memher and cooperating with said oppositely extending arms to control the engagement of said roller means.

18. A power lift agricultural implement comprising a frame, a crank axle journaled on said frame and including a crank portion. a power lift mechanism including a rotatable wheel mounted on the crank portion, a trip lever controlling the action of said clutch mechanism, and means separate from said crank axle and held in fixed relation with respect to said crankportion for pivotally supporting said trip lever.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of December, 1931.

WALTER H. SILVER. 

